Polly. He began to toss up his money, and cried out, "if anybody's got a ha penny, I'll toss for it-heads it is! No one at first accepted the challenge, but Jack began to fidget. If he could win three pence at tossing, he might make up the half-crown again to show his mother; he had not felt quite comfortable since he changed it; and the unholy desire to get another's money without working for it, began to stir his mind. You must remember he knew nothing of the sin of gambling, and had often watched lads tossing, and though he was aware his mother would not quite approve of it, he was so anxious to make his threepence sixpence again, that ere long he was led into playing. The consequence was, that in another half-hour, Jack's threepence was lost. Like many another gambler, he lost his temper with his money, and ended by accusing Dennis of cheating. Fortunately for Jack, he had said nothing of his having two shillings, and Dennis thinking he had won all he could from him, took no pains to keep his own temper. The tossing, as is generally the case, ended in a quarrel,-the quarrel in a fight, and Jack being the weaker of the two, had the worst of it. He rose from the ground with a bleeding nose, and was about to renew the battle, when a feeble cry from Polly stopped him-"Oh, Jack, Polly frightened-Polly sick -hurt Polly-poor Jack!" cried the child. Dennis did not care for any more, and Jack, therefore, was able to make his escape. The flowers had been trodden on and were withered; Polly was sick with eating so many cakes and so much candy; Jack had a black eye and a bloody nose, and an aching side-and sixpence of his half-crown was gone.

"Well," thought Jack, as he trudged wearily homewards, "I don't see but I should have been better without the man's money. I've been tossing, and mother won't be pleased about that; I've quarrelled with Dennis, and he'll be at me every night in the street now; I've got thrashed; I've had no nice play with Polly; the cakes have done us more harm than good; and all along with the money. It was'nt the money, though; it was what I did with it. I must see and do better with these two shillings.-Now Polly," continued he,

aloud, eager to stop the child's pitiful whine, "see, Jack's nose don't bleed now-dunnut cry, dear; Jack 'll buy thee summat wi' the money yet, only be a good girl, and let's get home to mother. I should like to spend the money for Polly, I should," thought he, "but I don't know how. Mother 'll be the best to tell me what to do with it."

(To be continued.)

THE BLUE COAT.

"MOTHER," said Harry Grey, I wish David Earl would come, and take lessons with me in drawing. He is such a genius-he can draw better now than I can, and I have practised a whole quarter. Mr. White might just as well have two scholars as one. Do you not think he would be willing to let David come and learn with me?"

"Yes, I think he would; but you would have to share with him your pencils and drawing-paper."

'Oh, that I would like to do; father will get me enough more when these are gone, and I know he would like to have me share them with David. How much happier I should be than I am drawing here alone! Perhaps I should get discouraged, for I know he would learn a great deal faster than I could. He can do everything well that he undertakes, excepting play; he understands no kind of games, and never seems to enter with interest into any of our sports. Sometimes he will play ball for a few minutes, and then he is off sawing wood again, or at his desk with his book or slate. I like him very much; still, I do not feel intimate with him, and I do not think there is one boy in school that does. He seems to be so by himself-he never asks any one to help him in his lessons, or sympathise with him in anything that he does. Yet I like him; he is noble and kind. May I tell him to-day, mother, that he may come here and take lessons in drawing?"

"I will first consult your father and Mr. White. If they approve of it, you may invite him to-morrow."

The plan was most heartily approved, and the next morning Harry Grey started for school, feeling bright

and joyful in the anticipation of adding to the mutual happiness of himself and David Earl. When he reached the school-house, he found David at his usual post, sawing wood. He stepped quickly up to his side and said, “good morning; I have good news for you-drop your saw at once, and listen to me."

Down went the saw, and David stood in a listening attitude, with his eyes fixed in silent surprise upon Harry.

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"You stare at me as if good news was an unheard-of thing,” said Harry. Are you prepared to hear it ?” “Yes; say what it is, for I must be at my wood again. I have never a moment to lose."

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All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,' is and old and true saying. You are always sawing wood. I cannot understand what this is for: but you must give it up, when you have heard what I shall tell you. Father and mother, and Mr. White, all say you may come over and take lessons in drawing with me every morning, and I shall like it so much, and you have such a taste for it. Now, is not this good news?"

"I do not know that I think it is, for it will effect nothing. But I am very much obliged to you all for your intended kindness.”

"Effect nothing? I do not understand Would you not like to learn to draw ""

"Yes, if I could do it independently."

you,

David.

“Well, I am sure you can, for Mr. White can instruct two as well as one. And there is plenty of room at my table, and you will be more than welcome to as much paper and pencils as you can use.”

“I thank you, Harry, for your kind offer, but I cannot accept it."

Here they were interrupted by the ringing of the school-bell. Harry was in a complete study all day, to know what could lead David to decline learning to draw; and as soon as school was out at night, he joined him iu his walk homewards, repeating the morning invitation. "I cannot accept it," was still the decided answer.

"And why not?" said Harry; "I beg you will give me some reason, for your conduct is so very strange. I cannot understand you; I thought you would be delighted."

"One reason is, I have not the time; my hours out of school are all occupied in sawing wood."

I know it; and I told you, to commence with, would have to give that up.'

""Tis impossible. I feel obliged to do it."

you

"But you need not feel so-the school is free, there is no tuition to pay, and you board with your motherso that costs you nothing."

"But this blue coat on my back is not paid for. My mother is poor; 'tis all she can do to board me."

"This pretty blue coat was a present; why do you speak of its not being paid for ?”

Because I cannot accept it as a present, and I shall never feel free and independent till it is paid for.'

But Mr. Lane does not expect you to pay for it, and, more than this, he will not let you pay for it. He is a rich man, and loves dearly to give to those that need."

That makes no difference. I must pay for my coat. My father would never allow himself to become an object of charity, and I am his true son. His hands brought him independence, and mine must do the same for me. You have always had wealth, Harry, and know nothing about feeling dependent, and receiving gifts."

You are partly right, David. I do know nothing about the feeling you describe, yet I am as dependent as you are. Every thing I have, I receive; and many are the gifts I have taken, and never once thought of sawing wood to pay for them."

"No, because you have other means at your command."

"And I do not use them to pay for a present. Who ever heard of such a thing? I think it is enough to enjoy the gift, and feel truly grateful for it. I suppose if that is the principle you act from, you will not come over and take lessons with me, unless you can pay for your tuition, and paper and pencils too.

"You have spoken truly what I did not like to say, Harry. I could not come over and feel dependent."

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Then let all the dependence be on my side. I shall be very dependent on your company for my happiness. Come over, and I will feel grateful to you, and thank

you most heartily. As for the tuition, it will be nothing extra. Father hires Mr. White one hour every morning, and half of the time he stands idle, with nothing to do, while I am drawing my castles and lions. Then he is such a good man, he will feel disappointed if you do not come, now it has been spoken of. He is never so happy as when benefitting others. Now, I have followed you to your home, and left mine in the distance, and yet you have not said that you will do me a favour."

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Harry, when you made this proposal in the morning, I thanked you in words—'t was all I could do ; now I feel a warmth from your kindness, and thank you with my whole soul. Still I cannot accept your invitation. I must maintain my independence. But this day's intercourse has drawn me nearer to you than the whole two years we have been in school together."

We

You

"Ah! David, but for this chilling pride you cherish, every day would draw us nearer and still nearer. should find a great happiness in reserve for us. speak proudly of maintaining independence. How can you do it? Who is independent? or, who would be? The first lesson in life is one of dependence; then, all is from the hand of father and mother. Soon other friends come in to fill up the measure of our happiness, and as the mind expands, we are gradually led to see that every blessing, even the love of parents and friends, comes to us a free gift; it was given before we were able to make any return. Nothing is earned-nothing paid for. God gives all. And I am content in this state of dependence, trying to evince my gratitude, by making the best use of every good offered me. But I have a self-relying friend, standing alone, refusing aid because he is not able to return an equivalent. Who can conceive of folly or presumption like this! Should we carry the principle to its full extent, we must lay down the rich blessing of life; for who can make a return to his Creator and Father?

So.

"You are becoming very serious, Harry.”

"Your strange and unaccountable conduct makes me But I must not tarry here. Give me your hand as a pledge that you will reconsider this subject, and call on me this evening, with a different answer."